A Bronx Urban Farm Sponsored by Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco)

Monthly Archives: September 2013

The greenhouse is built and the beds are planted! I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people that made this possible.

The custodial staff at Intervale Green were a huge help, their expertise was definitely appreciated.

The young and energetic tenants of IG also helped out filling the raised beds with soil and compost, and helped plant the first greenhouse crop of vegetables.

The greenhouse will help educate the next generation of urban farmers. The young people of Intervale Green will not only experience first-hand the benefits of fresh, organic produce but they will also have a personal stake in the process.

Meanwhile, up on the roof, the fall crops are doing well. The beets and beans will be ready in a few weeks and our squash has started flowering and growing.

Thanks again to all of you who helped us realize this goal. Please stay tuned for more updates.

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The end of the summer growing season can be emotional and bittersweet. The cucumber and tomato plants that seemed to be producing fruit as soon as the ripe ones were picked off have slowed down production and the plants themselves are dying back from what can only be described as exhaustion. The peppers and eggplant are still going strong but I’m noticing a slight reduction in production and the beginning stages of yellowing and wilting are setting in.

The basil that gave us powerful pesto and the cilantro that added the underlying freshness to our salsa, along with the lettuce that withstood the insane heat we had here in New York City, finally decided to bolt (go to seed). In a few weeks, these plants will go back to the soil from which they sprouted and help replenish it for (hopefully) another booming summer.
But enough of the sadness and melancholy! Let’s celebrate our successful summer! Let’s celebrate…the rooftop watermelons!!
A total of six watermelons, averaging a bit over 3 lbs. each, grew on the roof this summer. These cute little orbs looked so unassuming but packed a big time punch with their mind-blowing sweetness and juiciness. I’m definitely planting more watermelon next year.

And it’s not over yet because we’ve planted for Fall! As the Summer crops die back, the fall and early winter crops are taking hold and stepping into the spotlight. We have more beans and lettuce, three different types of beets, Brussels sprouts, sugar snap peas, zucchini, collard greens, and a variety of squashes and pumpkins. So there’s really no time for dwelling on the past when the future promises to be just as delicious.

On a quick side note, I’d like to thank everyone that donated money to our greenhouse campaign and to everyone who worked tirelessly on making it a success. I’m very excited to announce that we met, and actually surpassed, our goal. We were able to purchase all the equipment and materials needed to grow fresh, organic produce for the tenants of Intervale Green through the winter months. The greenhouse kit was ordered, it has arrived at Intervale Green, and we’re building it this weekend. Please stay tuned for upcoming posts as we put the rooftop farm to rest and recuperate, and move into the greenhouse for some hot winter growing!